History of the Abbasid Caliphate

History of the Abbasids

The Abbasid Caliphate, the second Islamic dynasty to rule, spanned from 132 to 656 AH (750–1258 CE). For over five centuries, the Islamic world looked to Iraq with reverence, for it was here that the Caliphate resided, even when political control waned. The Abbasid period marked a golden age for Islam, with remarkable cultural, intellectual, and religious advancements. It was during their rule that Islam spread significantly, and some of the most influential scholars and thinkers in Islamic history emerged.

While the Umayyads were known for their military conquests, it was the Abbasids who laid the foundations for the flourishing of science, philosophy, and the arts. Under the Abbasids, Baghdad became the intellectual and cultural heart of the Islamic world. Scholars from all over the empire gathered there, contributing to fields such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature.

The legacy of the Abbasids continues to shape Islamic civilisation and provides a model for future rulers and empires. This period not only marked a high point in Islamic scholarship but also created a legacy that every subsequent Muslim dynasty aspired to emulate. The Abbasid era is remembered as a time of profound achievements, offering a vision of Islamic governance, knowledge, and culture that still inspires Muslims today.

Students will learn:

• To understand the key events and figures in the history of the Abbasid Caliphate.

• To examine the political, social, and cultural achievements during the Abbasid period.

• To explore the Abbasid contributions to Islamic civilisation, particularly in the fields of scholarship, science, and the arts.

• To reflect on the legacy of the Abbasid dynasty and its lasting impact on Islamic history and governance.

Instructor:

Ustadh Khalid Ibn Uthman Barry studied Arabic and Islamic studies in Karachi, Pakistan, before enrolling at the Islamic University of Madinah, where I completed both high school and a Bachelor’s degree in Hadeeth. He is a regular teacher at Madinah College Portal courses and webinars.